If it were like the plots of those melodramas that Xiāng Cháo Shēng had seen before, then either Guì Yǔ or Chūn Mò would have been silenced, and there would be many ways to die, with hanging being the most common. Strangling someone to make it look like suicide is a convenient method that doesn't involve bloodshed, and the instrument of death can be found on the spot. There's also poisoning, which requires favorable timing and location, and poison isn't easy to obtain. Once someone dies, the case would be closed, becoming an unsolved mystery. Whether or not there was a crime depends on what those behind the scenes want to say, or how their superiors choose to judge.
But in Yiqiu Palace, such a thing did not happen. Gu Yu was alive, and Chun Mo was also alive.
Guiyu's face was deathly pale, and she could hardly kneel steadily, so she had to stand up, but still needed someone to support her. Chunmo stood on the other side, with her back straight, but her complexion wasn't much better than Guiyu's.
It seems she didn't sleep all night, her clothes were slightly wrinkled, and her eyes shone brightly.
Xiao Su's fourth prince spoke up and asked: "Tell me, what happened yesterday?"
Gui Yu's lips trembled and she burst into tears before she could even speak.
Xiao Su waited patiently for her to cry for a while: "Speak up. Whatever grievances you have, the princess will take care of it for you."
"Your Highness, it's all my fault. I asked Spring Ink to help me cut out the skirt, but I lost my balance and bumped into her, getting scratched by the scissors..."
On one side, Gui Zhi supported her and was greatly shocked: "What did you say?"
Chao Sheng and Qiu Zhen were also very surprised, they did not expect that what Gui Yu said was completely different from what others had guessed.
According to her words, Chun Mo was not wrong at all, at most it was an unintentional mistake, but who doesn't have a moment of carelessness?
Xiao Su looked at Gui Zhi and Gui Zhi quickly said, "But yesterday... I heard her shout once, really, I didn't mishear." She then said to Gui Yu, "You must think carefully about what happened yesterday, don't speak nonsense because you're afraid or being threatened by someone."
Gu Yurou shrank back a bit, as if she was extremely afraid of Guizhi. She stammered and said: "It's really my own carelessness, can't blame Spring Ink sister."
"You...!" Guizhi was both angry and anxious: "You clearly shouted yesterday that Chunmo wanted to kill you! How did you completely forget today?"
"Shut up." Xiao Su glared at Gui Zhi: "I didn't ask you, yet you keep interrupting. If Gui Yu has something to say, she'll say it herself, no need for you to teach her what to say."
He asked Gui Yu again: "Did you shout yesterday and say that Chun Mo wanted to kill you?"
"Back then... I was so scared, I called out for Spring Ink's name, but I didn't say she wanted to kill me."
Wide-eyed and tongue-tied.
The golden flowers and leaves outside looked rather unsightly.
Tide birth is a fool, it can be seen at this time that Guizhi is not feeling well.
Besides, she is not stupid either.
Jinhua and Jinye must have also played an important role in this matter - they just didn't perform on stage, probably as behind-the-scenes planners and directors. Guizhi was likely a conductor and assistant.
But the most crucial protagonist, the victim, suddenly changed his mind at the last minute, ruining what was almost a perfect play.
Lian Chunmo himself did not expect that things would take a dramatic turn and change so much.
Xiao Su asked Chun Mo again: "Is what Gui Yu said all true?"
Chunmo was dazed, and Xiao Su asked again, she hurriedly nodded.
"It's...that's how it is. I went to ask Guiyu about sweeping the courtyard, and she asked me how to alter my skirt..."
Xiao Su entered the study to report to the Fourth Prince, lightly and briefly, saying it was an accident. The only reason people misunderstood that Chun Mo killed someone was because Gui Zhi saw blood and panicked, shouting and causing a commotion. Now Gui Yu is fine too, and everything has been cleared up.
The outcome of the matter was: Gui Yu was rewarded and given medicine for her injuries, and was told to take good care of herself. Chun Mo was penalized a year's salary and ordered to reflect on his mistakes. However, Gui Zhi was punished with twenty lashes due to his improper reaction in this matter, which had caused serious negative consequences.
It was fought right in the courtyard.
Xiao Su passed on the words of the fourth prince, this was the first time Hua Ye had been caned in front of everyone, and it was only a minor punishment to serve as a warning.
The people who were spanking were the two men that Chao Sheng saw yesterday, following behind Qiu Yan. Just by looking at their movements, you could tell they were well-trained and skilled in their work. The long bench was set up, a person was pressed onto it, their mouth was stuffed, and then the big board was swung back and forth to start spanking. Xiao Su was counting on the side: one, five, ten.
Chao Sheng felt his heart racing and his flesh creeping.
The sound of the board hitting her body made the wound that had long since healed seem to throb with a dull ache once again.
Everyone's face didn't look good, and Jin Hua and Jin Ye were no exception.
This slap was slapped on Gui Zhi's body, and it was also heavily slapped on their faces.
Since they arrived at Huayeju, there hasn't been a single day of peace, whether it's open and aboveboard or secretly plotting, everything is clear as day, all for the sake of vying for power.
The fourth prince's slap killed the chicken to scare the monkey, and they immediately became much more honest.
Although they were bestowed by the empress, after this incident, no one dared to take them seriously again. Chief palace maid? Joking, in the Rear Palace, they were just mediocre, and no one had ever mentioned promoting them, so what kind of chief palace maid's airs did they put on?
Compared to the Second Prince's side, which openly didn't give the Empress face, Huaye's side could be called "draining the water from the bottom of the pot". Jin Hua and Jin Ye lost the dignity and treatment of a senior palace maid, and had to do the same heavy and dirty work as the junior maids. In just a few days, they changed beyond recognition, no longer looking radiant and neat, their dignity completely gone.
Spring ink is calm, and the tide is naturally happy.
Chun Mo has many shortcomings, but she is not a bad person and has helped and supported Cang Sheng on many occasions. She was truly framed, and as her trusted follower, Cang Sheng cannot forgive this easily.
If Chun Mo were indeed charged with intentional injury or even murder, her fate would be absolutely terrible.
First of all, she can't stay in Yi Qiugong anymore.
This is the most important thing and also the ultimate goal that the people behind the scenes want to achieve.
Chun Mo's foundation is here, her connections are here, if she leaves this place, she will be nothing.
The important thing is that the fourth prince is here.
The fourth prince is not just her master, but also her future reliance—
It's clear from her expression that she has feelings for the Fourth Prince.
The fourth prince is handsome and elegant, warm and considerate, tolerant and broad-minded. Living together day and night, how can they not develop feelings for each other over time?
Chao Sheng thought it was not strange at all for her to fall in love.
This matter is suspicious from start to finish. For example, why did Gui Yu suddenly change his words? However, Chao Sheng didn't want to investigate further.
She just knew the result was not bad, and that's it.
Besides, knowing too much might also bring trouble upon herself.
Twenty slaps shouldn't be too many, at least not as much as I got during the last tide of life.
Twenty, forty, a difference of one fold. However, Chao Sheng felt that this board was particularly long, the board fell on people's bodies and made a dull sound, as if it were not hitting living people, but lifeless objects. Gui Yu's mouth was blocked, and his throat still made a low humming sound of pain, compared to shouting loudly, it's unknown which one is more terrifying.
Guizhi is certainly not innocent...
Chao Sheng quietly lowered his head and didn't look in that direction, but he couldn't cover his ears to block out the sound.
————————
Went to Jinli and Qingyang Palace today.
Yesterday I had dinner at Chengdu restaurant, it was so spicy!!!! It almost killed me!!!!!
——————————————